Psalms 138:3-8

3 When I called, you answered me; you greatly emboldened me.

4 May all the kings of the earth praise you, LORD, when they hear what you have decreed.

5 May they sing of the ways of the LORD, for the glory of the LORD is great.

6 Though the LORD is exalted, he looks kindly on the lowly; though lofty, he sees them from afar.

7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life. You stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes; with your right hand you save me.

8 The LORD will vindicate me; your love, LORD, endures forever— do not abandon the works of your hands.

Psalms 138:3-8 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO PSALM 138

\\<>\\. This psalm is generally thought to have been written by David upon his being advanced to the throne; on account of which he praises the Lord, who had supported him under many exercises, and had made good his promise to him, at least in part; and he firmly believed the accomplishment of the rest, that he would perfect what concerned him, Ps 138:8. It seems as if this psalm was composed between his being king over Judah and over all Israel. Though Theodoret understands the psalm as a thanksgiving of the Jews upon their return from Babylon, which David prophesied of. The Syriac version calls it a thanksgiving with a prophecy; as indeed it is a prophecy of the Messiah's kingdom, and of the calling of the Gentiles in the latter day, as appears from Ps 138:4.

Cross References

• 1. Psalms 18:6; Psalms 30:2; Psalms 99:6; Psalms 116:4
• 2. S Psalms 118:5
• 3. Proverbs 28:1; S Acts 4:29
• 4. Psalms 28:7
• 5. Psalms 72:11; Psalms 102:15
• 6. S Psalms 51:14; Psalms 71:16; Psalms 145:7
• 7. Psalms 21:5
• 8. S Psalms 113:6; Isaiah 57:15
• 9. S Psalms 40:4; S Matthew 23:12; Proverbs 3:34; James 4:6
• 10. Psalms 23:4
• 11. S Psalms 41:2
• 12. S Exodus 7:5
• 13. Psalms 7:6; Jeremiah 51:25
• 14. Psalms 20:6; Psalms 60:5; Psalms 108:6
• 15. Psalms 17:7,14; Psalms 71:20
• 16. Psalms 57:2; Philippians 1:6
• 17. S Ezra 3:11; Psalms 100:5
• 18. S Psalms 51:11
• 19. S Job 10:3,8; Job 14:15